May 9, 2012 - The City of Mesa and Chicago Cubs announced a July 11 ground-breaking event start construction of the new spring training baseball facility for the Chicago Cubs. The city and the team also announced they are in the final stages of an agreement for the ASU baseball program to also use the venue.

Groundbreaking for the Chicago Cubs new spring training stadium in Mesa is tentatively set for July 11.

Arizona State also will play baseball at the $99-million stadium, located at the southeast corner of the Loop 101 and 202 freeway intersection, formerly site of Riverview Golf Course. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 1, 2013. Both the Cubs and ASU will begin play at the new stadium in February 2014. Initial renderings of the stadium were released Wednesday. The stadium will have a capacity of 15,000 including up to 4,000 grass seating, suites and party decks. The Cubs and ASU will share a playing field with the complex also to include seven full-size practice fields (one exclusively for ASU) and an infield-only practice field. ASU will have a separate clubhouse. "It becomes tangible and more than just a concept" via the renderings, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. "It's especially gratifying for me to see the Cubs and ASU logos. That's when you feel the reality of this actually happening and you think about what will happen come 2014 when we're open. It gets the juices flowing." Mike Lufrano, Cubs executive vice president, said the facility "will provide the best fan experience in spring training and offer world-class training and development for our players year-round." ASU Vice President for Athletics Steve Patterson met last week with former ASU players and season ticket holders to answer questions about the move to an off-campus stadium. "Arizona State has an innovative and unique opportunity to align with one of the world's most recognizable sports brands in the Chicago Cubs while also increasing the university's reach in the city of Mesa and Illinois," Patterson said. ASU played at Hohokam Stadium, the Cubs' current home in Mesa, including hosting an NCAA regional in 2002 while Packard Stadium was undergoing renovations. The Sun Devils also played some games at Rendezvous Park in Mesa and Phoenix Municipal Stadium in the 1950s and '60s.